I Am Too Absolutely Small for School

I Am Too Absolutely Small for School, is about siblings Charlie and Lola. Lola is nervous about starting school. She is convinced that she is still too small for school. Lola claims she already knows enough and doesn't need to attend school to learn anything else. Charlie tries to tell Lola about all of the great things she will learn at school. My children were least interested in this book. This book was not as funny or snarky as the other books that we read by Lauren Child.

I enjoyed this book for many reasons. First, I loved how the author formatted the text along with the illustrations. Each page displayed a unique text format with different font sizes and shapes. Often times the words curve around the illustrations or are hidden inside objects on the page. For example, on one page the text is arranged so it fits perfectly into the table that Charlie and Lola are sitting at. In addition, I also liked that the plot of this story is something that children can relate to. Many children get nervous when they are first starting school just like Lola did. However, after her brother Charlie lists reasons why it is important for her to go to school she begins to feel less nervous. The main message that readers show more can draw from this story is the importance of taking chances. At first Lola is very hesitant about starting school and keeps giving Charlie excuses why she can’t go. However, after her first day at school she has a great time. This shows how it is important to open yourself to new experiences because you never know how they might turn out. show less

I thought this was a cute book for readers who are anxious about going to school for the first time. First, it was engaging because the main characters are from a popular TV show, Charlie and Lola. This would be an automatic fun read for anyone who likes the show. Second, Lola’s character is very easy to relate to for someone who is nervous about going to school. She discusses everything from a child’s perspective with immature reasoning, which is funny for me to read but would also be understandable terms for readers in the appropriate interest level. For example, on the second page Lola says, “I am absolutely not big. I am still really quite small” which is her reasoning for not being ready for school. On this page are Charlie show more and Lola’s characters lined up against a wall of graph paper with height labels such as “Huge, big, biggish, slightly small, tiny, and eeny weeny”. Another reason for her not wanting to go to school is because her “imaginary friend” might not be able to sit next to her. This is another hook for young readers, who at that developmental stage often do have special friends that affect their decision-making. The only feature of this book that I did not like was that some of the sentences were written in swirls rather than in straight lines. For an emerging reader, this would not be helpful to them and may take away from the story, especially if they are trying to read it independently. Other than that, I think this book pushes readers to be brave since at the end of the story the main character ends up having a great first day at school and even comes home with a friend! The message of this story is to encourage students that school is not a scary place and that they should feel excited about going to school. show less

I found this book to be cuter than the others by Lauren Child, because I feel like most children go through a stage of not wanting to go to school for one reason or another. Lola clearly did not want to go to school but blamed it on her "friend" Soren. Soren is her invisible friend so it was made clear that it was her own insecurities shining through, however she powered through because she didn't want to let her "friend" go alone. Cute book, maybe one I would consider to have in my classroom.

I Am Too Absolutely Small for School is an adorable picture book about characters Charlie and Lola. In this book, Charlie tries convincing his younger sister, Lola, to go to school. She is stubborn and wants to stay home with her imaginary friend until Charlie bribes her with different aspects about school, such as friends, lunches, and the fact that she can wear whatever she wants to school. The book centers around their playful banter back and forth about Lola going to school. By the end of the story, Charlie somehow convinced Lola to want to go to school, and she becomes more openminded as a character. She finds a friend and has such a great time that Charlie cannot find her. I feel that this shows how openminded Lola becomes as a show more character in the story. Charlie himself does not develop as a character because he is like a role model for Lola. This is such a cute story about stepping out of your comfort zone! show less

Lauren Child did an amazing job with I Am Too Absolutely Small For School. The story is another one of her Charlie and Lola books and this time Lola is dealing with having to go to school for the first time and she doesn't want too. She is perfectly fine with knowing how to count to ten and knowing somewhat how to read and write. She doesn't want to go to school because she has a friend Soren, who is invisible. Lola comes up with lots of excuses on why she doesn't need to go to school. Of course, Charlie convinces her that she needs to go and Lola does. I think everyone didn't want to go to school and some point in their lifetimes and Lola was just like us. I think this would show kids why they need to continue to go to school because show more it's always better than you think. This is one of my favorite Charlie and Lola books, mostly because of the illustrations. They were awesome in this book and the message of the book is great too. I would definitely have this in my classroom library. show less

In I Am too Absolutely Small for School, Lola is dealing with going to school for the first time. She gives may excuses on why she think she shouldn't go to school, including being too small, having too much to do at home, not needing to learn to count because she has 10 toes and thats all she needs to count, and not wanting to wear a uniform. Luckily, Charlie had counter arguments to all of Lola's worries that make school sound important. Charlie reassures her that she can bring her imaginary friend to school with her to help ease her mind and to feel less lonely. It's finally time for the end of Lola's first day of school and Charlie realizes that he hadn't seen Lola all day. When Charlie gets home, he sees Lola has met a new friend show more and tells them that he knew Lola would have a good time at school. I appreciate how Lauren Child continues to write about leal rife problems that students and children may have. Most, if not all, of the books that i have read by her so far have some sort of educational message or learning some sort of lesson. Since its told in the perspective of two young siblings, it makes the book relatable. As a child starting school for the first time, I would have loved to have this book or have someone read this book to me. Although children are generally excited to go to school for the first time, many of them are still nervous. This book would be a great as a read aloud for teachers to read to their pre-k or kindergarten students on the first day of school to ease their little minds. show less